Top 3 Books About Death I Read in 2022

There are more death positive books on the shelves these days and that’s so encouraging! It can also be overwhelming. Here are some of my favourites, chosen because I find them to be approachable and not too “out there”. Easy to read and empowering – because the best remedy to overcome fear is knowledge!

We all know how this ends. 
Lessons about life and living from working with death and dying
by Anna Lyons & Louise Winter

I enjoy this book so much because of the way it is written. Each page is a stand alone subject so you can dip in anywhere, read a bit, then put it down. It is so broad and complete – covering many subjects, from death and dying, to funerals and green burial, to grief and loss, written compassionately and in plain language that is direct and easy to understand. It is so comprehensive, while being presented in bite sized chunks. As someone committed to sharing accurate information around death care, I was delighted by how the authors demystify so much surrounding death. It is written in such an honest, direct, yet compassionate way, that these heavy subjects are approachable. This is a resource for everyone, at any point in life.

This is Assisted Dying
A Doctor’s Story of Empowering Patients at the End of Life
by Stefanie Green, MD

Dr. Green shares intimate details about the lead up to Medical Assistance in Dying becoming legal in Canada and what those first few provisions were like. As a former labour and delivery doctor, she now works at the the other end of life “delivering” patients from their disease and suffering.

Written tenderly and honestly, Dr Green brings us to the bedside to a dozen or so deaths, each one as unique as the person described. Both informative and deeply impactful, I read this book in 2 sittings, through many tears of compassion. Dr Green gives a clear picture of how one can leave this world by choice, while also sharing an honest and balanced account of the contentious debate.

Finding Peace at End of Life
A Death Doula’s Guide to Family and Caregivers
by Henry Fersko-Weiss

Anyone working with the dying, either professionally or caring for a family member, and anyone considering becoming a death doula should read this book. It’s like a guidebook written by someone who has walked the path many times before. It imparts so much knowledge and empowers the reader to start these discussions at home.

“We are healthier than our forebears and live longer lives, but we have also lost the wisdom shared by people for whom death was an intimate companion. How we die does not need to be left entirely to strangers.”